For eight strangers in a Los Angeles backpacking hostel, even the other side of the world isn’t far enough.

The craving for a new identity and the chance to start again is something they have in common. But the search for a fresh start isn't as easy as they'd imagined.

And they soon discover that it doesn't matter where you are or who you are - if you can't lay the past to rest, coincidence, fate and deception have a way of catching up with you when you least expect it.

Noelle's Rating: 4/5

Noelle's Review: I am ashamed to say this is the first book I have read by John Marrs after hearing about The Wronged Sons so much in THE Book Club on facebook! I have now purchased it to see what I have missed!

I really enjoyed this book...experiencing as a reader the twists and tales of eight strangers who come together at a hostel in LA. And their stories intertwine even more as they learn each other's secrets...or don't in some cases.

My favourite two characters in this book were Tommy...vulnerable, damaged and searching for something he may never find and Ruth...quiet, child-like but with a very...well I don't want to spoil anything so will leave it at that for her!!

There were some really good twists in this book as well. Some expected and some I did not have a clue about so hat's off to the author for the OMG moments throughout!

I will certainly be keeping my eye out for more of John Marrs' books as although this wasn't the usual type of book I read I am pleased to have had the opportunity.

Synopsis: When the murder of a colleague is linked to a series of suspicious deaths, Detective Superintendent Greg Woods’ team are tasked with solving the mystery. New to the team is Maria Barnes, whose besmirched character sadly precedes her. However Woods quickly discovers there is more to the detective sergeant than meets the eye: her skill level, knowledge base, and investigative talents far outshine his own formidable qualities…

And why is the Secret Intelligence Service so interested in Barnes and the investigation?

It’s a race against time to stop the killer, but he’s meticulous, cunning and ruthless. He leaves the police and intelligence service questioning if they are all out of their depth…

When forces contrive against them, Woods’ life hangs in the balance and for the first time in his career he risks breaking the rules… He and Barnes decide to go it alone to uncover who or what CXVI really is… The shocking truth lies at the heart of the Government and is trapped deep underground.

Synopsis: The Cumbria Major Crimes team is under immense pressure to get results. DCI Harry Evans and his subordinates, DS Neil Chisholm, DC Lauren Phillips and DC Amir Bhaki must juggle cases while tragedy stalks them. Up in Glasgow, DI John Campbell is preparing to replace Evans, whose renegade ways have brought enforced retirement. Together they must investigate a man killed in his own home, a vigilante group chasing a suspected paedophile, a river dammed for no obvious reason and a woman whose cries of ‘wolf’ turn to ‘rape’. Meanwhile DC Phillips goes undercover off the books.

Noelle's Review: This was one of those books that had me breathless. We are introduced to DI Harry Evans and his team and there are no holds barred with the author. I literally felt liked I was smacked in the face by the amazing plot/sub-plots through out and was left wondering whether or not I could take any more!

The twists through out this book were true "OMG" moments and there were many! I am fast becoming a huge admirer of Cumbria's police force (MCT) and loving the "Gene Hunt" feel of DI Evans --a definite Ashes to Ashes vibe going on...old school police mentality mixed with the modern...LOVE IT!

The characters in this book definitely get under your skin--both the good and the bad qualities give you insight into where the character development is heading...yet you feel like Graham Smith (the author) still has more up his sleeve.

I am extremely excited to read the next DI Harry Evans book: Snatched From Home and highly recommend this book as a taster. Graham Smith you have truly WOW'd me!

Synopsis: Something happened to Claire and Jo in Black Wood: something that left Claire paralysed and Jo with deep mental scars. But with Claire suffering memory loss and no evidence to be found, nobody believes Jo's story. Twenty-three years later, a familiar face walks into the bookshop where Jo works, dredging up painful memories and rekindling her desire for vengeance. And at the same time, Sergeant Davie Gray is investigating a balaclava-clad man who is attacking women on a disused railway, shocking the sleepy village of Banktoun. But what is the connection between Jo's visitor and the masked man? To catch the assailant, and to give Jo her long-awaited justice, Gray must unravel a tangled web of past secrets, broken friendship and tainted love. But can he crack the case before Jo finds herself with blood on her hands?

About Graham Smith: Graham Smith is married with a young son. A time served joiner he has built bridges, houses, dug drains and slated roofs to make ends meet. For the last fourteen years he has been manager of a busy hotel and wedding venue near Gretna Green, Scotland.

An avid fan of crime fiction since being given one of Enid Blyton’s Famous Five books at the age of eight, he has also been a regular reviewer and interviewer for the well-respected website Crimesquad.com for over six years

Noelle:As an author, what has been the worst or most unhelpful criticism you have had about your books/short stories?

Graham: I have been lucky enough to avoid any truly hurtful criticism although I am always expecting it to happen. I’m always waiting for the rejection slip or review where it’s suggest I have all my fingers cut off so I can never write again. On the flip side, before I interviewed him, I discussed reviews with Harlan Coben and he told me, “You’re not a writer until you’ve had a bad review.” Therefore when the inevitable one star review arrives I plan to treat it as a rite of passage.

Noelle:.DI Harry Evans is an interesting character to say the least. You once told me that he gets all his bad qualities from you. Do you find your other characters have qualities drawn from people you know? (If yes, has anyone ever recognised themselves in one of your characters?)

Graham: No one has recognised themselves as yet, but I drew certain qualities from my father and grandfather while giving him my own short-tempered and impatient nature. There are also elements of Gene Hunt, Gregory House and Roberta Steel floating about in his DNA.

My guest reviewer bagged herself a chat with author J D Barker. Her review for his release Forsaken can be found here. Ahuge thank you to him for taking the time out, and huge thank you to Noelle for asking GREAT questions:-)

Noelle: "I had the pleasure of reading and reviewing Forsaken by JD Barker. My review has been posted under the Guest Review but below is a few questions and the fantastic responses from the author himself. As he is American, he put a *disclaimer* about some of the spelling which made me smile --as I am Canadian--living in the UK --so no issue for me. Hope you enjoy!"

Interview with JD Barker

A note from JD Barker: First and foremost, I would like to apologize for any spelling or grammatical errors below. Here in the U.S. we spell favourite, favorite, realise, realize, and so many others.

My torch is a flashlight, my mum is my mom and I wear pants rather than trousers. If you find such errors below, please write a strongly worded letter to Apple and tell them it’s time to include an English to English wizard in future software. This world is shrinking fast and if one of my characters walks into McDonalds, I’d like to know if they’re supposed to order chips or French fries. The foreign language editions of FORSAKEN are in the works, I can only imagine the changes going on under the hood.

Noelle. I am a big Stephen King fan how did you come to use the character from Stephen King's Needful Things?

JDB: When I write, I tend to try and keep moving, particularly on a first draft. When I come to a spot that may slow me down, I throw in words or filler so I can get past it and address it later. Many times, I do this with names. Rather than naming a character in a first draft, I may just call them “Mr. Pilot” or something generic so I can identify them, then go back and swap the placeholder for a real name when I come up with one. With FORSAKEN, I knew Rachael bought the journal at an antique store but I had nothing planned beyond that. When it came time to write the epilogue, the thought “what if she purchased it at Needful Things?” popped into my head. I went ahead and wrote it believing I would have to change it prior to publication. When my wife read the book and got to this chapter, she said, “I really like this, I think you should just try and get his permission.”

Synopsis: After Billy Reeves had survived a poverty ridden and violent childhood on a council estate in Newcastle he thought he had it all; a loving family, money and respect but a face from the past with a point to prove and muscles to flex is out to bring his world crashing down on him. He turns down an offer of a job with Tyneside’s most paranoid and psychotic gang lord and is faced with bent police, a corrupt judge, an army of bouncers and the knowledge that if he makes one wrong move in this game of cat and mouse his family will end up imprisoned, abused or worse. Billy is going to have to work very hard just to keep everyone he cares about alive and that means the gloves are coming off...

Synopsis: The war has just begun.. Once the leader of the Sur del Calle cartel, Colombia's largest drug trafficking organization, Pablo Sanchez patiently waits to exact his revenge against Blake Barnett, the FBI agent who killed his twin brother over a decade ago. After one failed attempt forces Sanchez to flee the United States, he hatches a bold new plan. This time Blake has something to lose: his fiancée, Whitney Steel. From the neon paradise of Las Vegas to the militant-infected jungles of Bogota, Blake must risk his life and infiltrate the cartel’s inner world and eliminate the ruthless drug lord. The price of failure is higher than ever as he's forced to use the woman he loves as a pawn in a deadly game—where the events of the past and present collide.

WARNING: This book contains graphic language, adult situations, and violence.